as in excellent
of the very best kind
a first-string rendition of the musical piece
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of first-string
Tustin’s first-string defense was just as overwhelming, holding the Vanguards to negative-16 yards in the first half while the offense built a 48-0 lead.
—
Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, many defensive special-teams rushers are first-string players, whereas the blockers tend to be second- and third-string players.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Breslow and his scouts stole a first-string catcher, Carlos Narvaez, from the Yankees, who’d had him in their minor league system since 2015.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, many defensive special-teams rushers are first-string players, whereas the blockers tend to be second- and third-string players.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Breslow and his scouts stole a first-string catcher, Carlos Narvaez, from the Yankees, who’d had him in their minor league system since 2015.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
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This is where the Greenpoint comes from, an excellent neo-classic riff on a Manhattan that was invented at Milk & Honey in New York, and comprises the classic build of Manhattan—rye, sweet vermouth, and bitters—into which has been spliced the inimitable French herbal liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Jayhawks did an excellent job of getting back in transition, limiting Louisville’s fast-break opportunities.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The scene feels routine, set by a regular who prefers a late-afternoon arrival to enjoy the peace of a restaurant resetting itself between prime mealtimes.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Advantages of Spring Rose Planting For many types of plants, spring is the prime planting season.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Shaheed is a terrific deep threat who will absolutely provide quarterback Sam Darnold with another dependable option in the aerial attack and will make the Seahawks' offense that much more dangerous.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Montana ski area is known for being a terrific spring-skiing spot, with the season’s best conditions coming in March and April.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And, frankly, the Wolves job is not one to attract a stellar cast of applicants in the wake of a chaotic summer and a dreadful start to the season.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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After his stellar college career—recently a collection of college-football sportswriters selected an all-time All-America team and put 2007 Tebow in as quarterback—Tim was drafted into the NFL in the first round.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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He is viewed as a superb talent and a very coachable player, which leads to thinking that he will be better served by staying in Pittsburgh, working with the NHL staff and taking his lumps.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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At Lotus, the dinner menu always highlighted a superb selection of sushi, such as tai snapper umaki roll with avocado, cucumber, and pickled daikon, as well as outstanding small plates and snacks.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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WeRide is a member of this year’s Future 50, Fortune’s annual ranking of companies with the greatest potential for growth.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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After looking over the latest update from Jim Bowden, the odds of Bregman staying with the Red Sox are not looking too great currently.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And so for me, baseball is a wonderful place to leave everything, all the mess that the world is in, behind, and just watch these incredibly talented people exceed and do their jobs.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
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Scientists have long known that dogs make wonderful companions, offering emotional support and even measurable health benefits to their human owners.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Tender, fresh okra and holy trinity pepper, onions, and celery add a lovely contrast of texture while contributing pops of color.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
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The movie’s narrative [spoilers ahead] revolves around the lovely circus aerialist Cleopatra, who romantically pursues little person Hans, a performer in the sideshow.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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